| http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/
August 26 2001 RUSSIA 
Russia hurries Kursk salvage to hide missile Mark Franchetti, Moscow THE Kremlin has ordered the Russian navy to step up its efforts to raise the Kursk, the nuclear submarine that sank last August, for fear that top-secret missiles on board could fall into the hands of western intelligence. The Kursk carried 22 Granit long-range anti-ship cruise missiles. The weapons, intended to sink Nato aircraft carriers, are the most modern and powerful on Russian nuclear submarines. Russian warships are guarding the site of the Kursk wreck around the clock to deter foreign vessels from getting too close. The Granits are in silos outside the pressure hull. They were not damaged when a powerful explosion in the torpedo compartment in the bow sank the vessel, killing all 118 crew. In theory they could be reached without even entering the submarine. Western military experts have gathered information about the Granit, which travels at supersonic speeds, but have never managed to take a close look. Unlike much of Russia's arsenal, the missile is not on display at international arms fairs. The photograph published here is the first to appear. "We know a lot about how the Granit works, but not everything. There is no doubt some people in Britain and America would love to get their hands on one," said Edward Hooton, editor of Jane's Naval Weapons Systems. "The Russians are dead against the West inspecting one. The last thing they need is for us to find out what the Granit's weaknesses are. For instance, just by inspecting the type of fuel and its fuel capacity we would be able to establish its exact range." Russian military sources say that for more than a year the navy has postponed all big exercises and has not sent any warships on regular patrols in the Mediterranean because so many of its vessels have been deployed to guard the Kursk. The Granits, believed to have a range of up to 320 miles, cost �600,000 each. "The pressure is on to get the missiles back," said a Russian naval officer. "Losing the Kursk was the greatest embarrassment in the history of the Russian navy. We are also talking about several million dollars lying on the seabed. If we act now the Granits can be retrieved and put back into service." The Russians hope to raise the 20,000-ton submarine by September 15. The �45m operation is being carried out by a Dutch company with the help of British divers. However, the Kremlin has ordered that the damaged bow should be cut off and left on the seabed. It is to be lifted only when foreign specialists have left. Western experts say that without retrieving the front section, where the explosion took place, it will be impossible to determine what caused the accident. |
